Community Calendar

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.

Joaquin Murrieta Talk at First Theater
 
Monterey, Calif.— Join award winning author John Boessenecker for a free talk about his latest book, Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta: The Bandit Chief Who Terrorized California and Launched the Legend of Zorro, in California’s First Theater on Saturday, June 20th at 2pm. Boessenecker, who has written 13 books including the New York Times bestseller Texas Ranger: The Epic Life of Frank Humer, the Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde, details the bloody saga of the famed bandido and his connections to Monterey County. The book reveals how the man known as the “Robin Hood of El Dorado” lived an extraordinarily dramatic and violent life that has been obscured by layers upon layers of legend until now.
Boessenecker was named the Best Nonfiction Writer by True West Magazine in 2011, 2013 and 2018. He has also received a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, a Best Book Award from Westerners International and an International Latin Book Award.

The author will sign copies of Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta at the event, where the books will be available for purchase.

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.

This community of readers meets monthly for a communal reading of a featured poet's writing. This month is all about translator, essayist, logger, fire lookout, freighter crewman, carpenter, back-to-the-land Buddhist environmentalist Gary Snyder, who characterized his Pulitzer as a plus because people stopped pegging him as a Beat poet. Snyder turned 96 in May, and we intend to honor his ongoing legend. Come, get back to what matters. Join us!

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.

FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop welcomes local author Wallace Baine for a reading and signing of his new novel Founding Daughter, which is set during the American Revolution and explores themes of American ideals, freedom, and the hidden histories behind the nation's founding.

Baine will be in conversation with Steve Kettmann.

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.

Set in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War and nationwide civil unrest, this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet places the Capulets and Montagues on opposite sides of a fractured America. The Capulets are Hawks--aligned with authority, tradition, and the war machine--while the Montagues are Doves, rooted in protest culture, resistance, and the push for social change. Against a backdrop of demonstrations, generational rupture, and escalating violence, Romeo and Juliet’s love becomes an act of defiance—exposing the human cost of ideological extremism and asking whether empathy can survive when a nation is at war with itself.